(d. 303?)Nothing is known of their lives except that they suffered
martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian.
A church erected on the site of their burial place was enlarged by
the emperor Justinian. Devotion to the two saints spread rapidly in both East
and West. A famous basilica was erected in their honor in Constantinople. Their
names were placed in the canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I) , probably in
the sixth century.
Legend says that they were twin brothers born in Arabia, who
became skilled doctors. They were among those who are venerated in the East as
the "moneyless ones" because they did not charge a fee for their
services. It was impossible that such prominent persons would escape unnoticed
in time of persecution: They were arrested and beheaded.
Nine centuries later, Francis of Assisi (October 4) rebuilt the
dilapidated San Damiano chapel outside Assisi.
Comment:
For a long time, it seems, we have been very conscious of Jesus' miracles as proofs of his divinity. What we sometimes overlook is Jesus' consuming interest in simply healing people's sickness, whatever other meaning his actions had. The power that "went out from him" was indeed a sign that God was definitively breaking into human history in final fulfillment of his promises; but the love of God was also concrete in a very human heart that was concerned about the suffering of his brothers and sisters. It is a reminder to Christians that salvation is for the whole person, the unique body-spirit unity.
For a long time, it seems, we have been very conscious of Jesus' miracles as proofs of his divinity. What we sometimes overlook is Jesus' consuming interest in simply healing people's sickness, whatever other meaning his actions had. The power that "went out from him" was indeed a sign that God was definitively breaking into human history in final fulfillment of his promises; but the love of God was also concrete in a very human heart that was concerned about the suffering of his brothers and sisters. It is a reminder to Christians that salvation is for the whole person, the unique body-spirit unity.
Quote:
In the Preface for Martyrs I, the Church acknowledges that a martyr's blood shows God "marvelous works, by which in our weakness you perfect your power and on the feeble bestow power to bear you witness, through Christ our Lord."
In the Preface for Martyrs I, the Church acknowledges that a martyr's blood shows God "marvelous works, by which in our weakness you perfect your power and on the feeble bestow power to bear you witness, through Christ our Lord."
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